International cooperation: the FDFA is mitigating the impact of COVID-19 around the world

The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are particularly severe in developing countries. The FDFA has taken immediate action to mitigate the economic and health effects of the crisis there. It is providing emergency humanitarian aid, supporting international action, and focusing on the management of COVID-19 in ongoing bilateral and global development programs. Furthermore, Switzerland also provides assistance in the area of peace policy.

10.12.2021

SDC and PHRD projects in various countries: the SDC and the PHRD have adjusted various ongoing bilateral projects and programmes and also initiated efforts in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic (Karte, Zoom mit Doppelklick). The FDFA is also involved in internationally active organisations and undertakes work at regional level. © FDFA

The coronavirus pandemic is not only a health crisis. It is also an economic crisis and will develop into a financial and social crisis. The consequences are particularly serious for developing countries. Many people there have already lost their jobs. Without jobs, social networks and savings, their livelihoods are quickly threatened and poverty, instability and migration are likely to increase. The education of children and young people is also at risk, as thousands of schools have had to close because of COVID-19 and over 1.6 billion pupils and students worldwide are affected.

The FDFA's response is aimed at taking effective measures to counter the health, economic and social consequences of the pandemic in developing countries. This is also in line with the thrust of the 2021-2024 international cooperation strategy, which is designed to be flexible and allows for a targeted response to needs.

The FDFA has adapted ongoing projects and programmes within the framework of existing budgets and are supporting organizations and institutions in the fight against the pandemic. Communicable diseases and their consequences do not stop at borders, and it is therefore important for Switzerland's security to counter global health risks across borders and to strengthen the health and economic systems in developing countries. With its open and globalised economy, Switzerland is dependent on a stable international order. The following examples and tables provide an overview of the FDFA’s measures.

Africa

COVID-19 poses major problems for many African countries. The pandemic is not only an additional challenge in terms of health, but also in terms of the economy, food safety, access to education and security. In many countries, the authorities have therefore taken restrictive measures ranging from travel bans to school closures. However, African health systems are fragile and the economic consequences of a "lockdown" for the population are severe. After all, work is often not registered by the state. Education institutions are striving to maintain minimal access to education via television or radio despite school closures, but in many places the necessary infrastructure is lacking. Even if schools are now partially reopening, massive learning deficits are evident, and child labour and sexual violence against girls have increased.

To reduce the collateral damage of the pandemic in Africa and prevent millions of people from falling back into extreme poverty and to prevent lack of access to education from having long-term social and economic consequences, the FDFA is implementing various medium and long-term measures. If these measures improve prospects on location, they will also reduce the pressure of migration.

Support for Africa

Country
Country
Country	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Algeria	CHF 200,000 (SDC)	- Crisis prevention - Food security	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Benin	CHF 4,279,620 (SDC)	- Governance - Education - Food security - Crisis prevention - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Burkina Faso	CHF 7,537,170 (SDC)	- Governance - Health - Food security - Crisis prevention - Protection - Education	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Burundi	CHF 6’918’880 (SDC)	- Health - Education	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Cameroon	CHF 1,816,760 (SDC) CHF 50,000 (PHRD)	- Health - Protection - Human security	Humanitarian Aid Human Security Division
Central African Republic	CHF 2,900,000 (SDC)	- Health - Other	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Chad	CHF 17’742’030 (SDC)	- Health - Food security - Education/Vocational training - Crisis prevention - Water - Protection	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Congo (Dem. Rep.)	CHF 4,772,500 (SDC)	- Health - Water - Protection - Employment and economic development - Food security - Crisis prevention	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Côte d'Ivoire	CHF 45,000 (PHRD)	- Human security	Peace and Human Rights Division
Egypt	CHF 1,245,750 (SDC)	- Health - Migration	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Ethiopia	CHF 1,629,170 (SDC)	- Health - Education - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Kenia	CHF 2,738,410 (SDC)	- Health - Food security - Education	Development Cooperation
Libya	CHF 1,706,030 (SDC) CHF 71,848 (PHRD)	- Protection - Peace policy - Foreign policy on migration	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Madagascar	CHF 100,920 (SDC) CHF 15'800 (PHRD)	- Health - Human rights policy - Corruption	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Mali	CHF 7,595,920 (SDC)	- Food security - Health - Protection - Other	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Morocco	CHF 621,850 (SDC)	- Health - Other	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Mozambique	CHF 10,493,870 (SDC)	- Health - Employment and economic development - Education/Vocational training - Governance	Development Cooperation
Niger	CHF 6,598,030 (SDC)	- Governance - Food security - Crisis prevention - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Nigeria	CHF 1,509,270 (SDC) CHF 83,500 (PHRD)	- Health - Protection - Sexual & gender-based violence - Human rights - Prevention of social tensions - Other	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Rwanda	CHF 1,664,880 (SDC)	- Health - Employment and economic development	Development Cooperation
Somalia	CHF 13,433,250 (SDC)	- Health - Protection - Governance	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
South Sudan	CHF 7,139,150 (SDC) CHF 49,689 (PHRD)	- Food security - Water - Health - Protection - Media & freedom of information - Migration - Civil society	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Sudan	CHF 168’000 (SDC)	- Health - Food security	Humanitarian Aid
Tanzania	CHF 28,576,300 (SDC)	- Health - Gender equality - Employment and economic development - Other	Development Cooperation
Tunisia	CHF 1,905,400 (SDC) EUR 40,971 (PHRD)	- Health - Governance - Protection - Migration - Other - Human rights policy	Development Cooperation Peace and Human Rights Division
Zambia	CHF 7,405,500 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation
Zimbabwe	CHF 35,573,410 (SDC) USD 50,000 (PHRD)	- Health - Crisis prevention - Food security - Human rights policy - Human security	Development Cooperation Peace and Human Rights Division

Asia

In addition to the general population, migrant workers are particularly affected by the border closures and lockdowns in South and Southeast Asia.

Thousands have lost their jobs and are often stranded in transit and destination countries. The FDFA has adapted its commitment in the area of migration accordingly and implemented emergency aid measures. For example, various partners of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provide migrants with food, water, hygiene articles and protective material, offer medical and psychosocial assistance, and help them to maintain contact with their families.

Consideration is also being given to medium-term strategies for reintegrating them into the economy. For not only do labour migrants risk slipping into extreme poverty without a social insurance network. But their remittances to their families, if they fail to be sent, put their home countries under further pressure. In some countries remittances account for up to a third of the gross domestic product.

Without these financial resources, combating COVID-19 in the Asian region will be even more difficult. Not only is unemployment rising there, pushing millions of people back into poverty. Many people also have no access to basic needs, such as food. In addition, there is often a lack of medical infrastructure, and in many densely populated areas "social distancing" is not possible.

Support for Asia

Country
Country
Country	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Afghanistan	CHF 4,700,000 (SDC)	- Food security - Education/Vocational training - Protection - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Bangladesh	CHF 18,348,930 (SDC)	- Governance - Disaster risk reduction - Food security - Education - Health - Migration - Crisis prevention - Protection - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Bhutan	CHF 246,800 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training - Health	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Cambodia	CHF 15,182,144 (SDC)	- Health - Food security - Employment and economic development - Governance	Development Cooperation
China	CHF 800,000 (SDC)	- Health - Other	Humanitarian Aid
India	CHF 1,395,500 (SDC)	- Environment	Humanitarian Aid Global Cooperation
Indonesia	CHF 1,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Humanitarian Aid
Korea (DPRK)	CHF 270,000 (SDC)	- Protection - Other	Humanitarian Aid
Lao People's Democratic Republic	CHF 5,328,520 (SDC)	- Health - Food security - Governance - Crisis prevention - Employment and economic development - Education - Gender	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation
Mongolia	CHF 916,330 (SDC)	- Governance - Education/Vocational training - Protection - Crisis prevention - Health - Other	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Myanmar	CHF 29’439’380(SDC)	- Employment and economic development - Health - Food security - Peace and protection - Water - Governance - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Nepal	CHF 11,480,500 (SDC)	- Health - Employment and economic development - Migration - Governance - Gender equality - Protection - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Pakistan	CHF 720,000 (SDC)	- Disaster Risk Reduction - Water - Governance	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Sri Lanka	CHF 1,478,260 (SDC)	- Migration - Health	Global Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Thailand	CHF 500’000 (SDC) CHF 16,700 (PHRD)	- Health - Human rights policy	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Vietnam	CHF 400'000 (SDC)	- Health	Humanitarian Aid

Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia

The COVID-19 crisis is having a profound impact on all the countries of Eastern Europe, hitting economies hard and raising poverty levels. High unemployment rates in the Balkans, especially among young people, are expected to increase. Minorities, such as the Roma, are particularly badly hit by the pandemic. In Ukraine, Moldova, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, many communities are reliant on direct aid. Because of the crisis in Europe and Russia, around one million migrant workers have returned to their home countries, or are stranded without work. Remittance levels, which account for up to 40% of GDP in certain countries, are declining sharply. The crisis may also stoke social tensions.

Switzerland is committed to strengthening community structures, promoting economic development and improving access to healthcare and water in priority countries. This work will become even more important in strengthening the resilience of communities. Digital technologies provide opportunities for developing solutions for public services, healthcare systems and education.

Support for Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia

Country
Country
Country	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Albania	CHF 6,198,630 (SDC)	- Health - Governance - Education/Vocational training - Employment and economic development	Development Cooperation
Armenia	CHF 941,250 (SDC)	- Governance - Health - Other	Development Cooperation
Azerbaijan	CHF 34,000 (SDC)	- Health - Crisis prevention	Development Cooperation
Bosnia and Herzegovina	CHF 1,513,710 (SDC)	- Governance - Health - Crisis prevention - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Georgia	CHF 2,924,800 (SDC) USD 51,640 (PHRD)	- Water - Education/Vocational training - Health - Climate - Migration - Governance - Civil society - Crisis prevention	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Greece	CHF 1,772,770 (SDC)	- Migration - Protection - Water	Humanitarian Aid
Italy	CHF 500,000 (SDC)	- Health	Humanitarian Aid
Kosovo	CHF 13,545,500 (SDC)	- Health - Governance - Employment and economic development - Other	Development Cooperation
Kyrgyzstan	CHF 22,497,840 (SDC)	- Health - Governance - Food security - Protection - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Moldova	CHF 42,898,400 (SDC)	- Health - Governance - Education/Vocational training - Employment and economic development - Other	Development Cooperation
North Macedonia	CHF 281,200 (SDC)	- Governance - Employment and economic development	Development Cooperation
San Marino	CHF 40,000 (SDC)	- Health	Humanitarian Aid
Serbia	CHF 8,091,000 (SDC)	- Migration - Health - Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Tajikistan	CHF 13,941,110 (SDC)	- Health - Food security - Water - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Ukraine	CHF 44,289,020 (SDC)	- Water - Health - Governance - Education/Vocational training - Crisis prevention - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Uzbekistan	CHF 608,500 (SDC)	- Governance - Health - Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation

The Near and Middle East

In countries torn by years of conflict, upholding human rights, peacebuilding and security are difficult to maintain even in normal circumstances. This is certainly the case with Syria. According to UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, Syria is at serious risk of being unable to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last decade, almost half of the population has been displaced, around 11 million people rely on humanitarian aid and the healthcare and education systems are on the brink of collapse following 10 years of war. The FDFA is involved in a project to raise awareness of the consequences of COVID-19 for the Syrian population. Although Syria is deeply divided because of the conflict, the FDFA is working to promote cooperation between the various factions to help them cope with the pandemic.

Support for the Near and Middle East

Country
Country
Country	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Iraq	CHF 2,890,000 (SDC)	- Water - Sexual & gender-based violence - Protection - Other	Humanitarian Aid
Iran	CHF 211,860 (SDC)	- Other	Humanitarian Aid
Israel	CHF 100,000 (SDC) USD 50,000 (PHRD)	- Protection - Foreign policy on migration	Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Jordan	CHF 6,618,960 (SDC)	- Water - Health - Sexual & gender-based violence - Employment and economic development - Education - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Lebanon	CHF 2,731,200 (SDC) CHF 50,000 (PHRD)	- Protection - Disaster Risk Reduction - Migration - Health - Water - Education - Other	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation Peace and Human Rights Division
Occupied Palestinian Territory	CHF 11,678,180 (SDC) CHF 50,000 (PHRD)	- Protection - Disaster Risk Reduction - Food security - Employment and economic development - Education - Protection - Reaction to tensions due to COVID-19 - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Syria	CHF 6,341,580 (SDC) CHF 100,000 (PHRD)	- Protection - Sexual & gender-based violence - Health - Peace policy - Education - Water - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid Peace and Human Rights Division
Yemen	CHF 2,440,470 (SDC)	- Water	Humanitarian Aid

Latin America and the Caribbean

According to official statistics, COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people in Latin America and the Caribbean (as at 11 May). To protect public health, the majority of countries have imposed border closures and quarantine measures which are still in effect. The crisis has grave consequences for the economy and society. International organisations estimate that the region's economy is set to decline by approximately 5% this year, causing millions of people to slide from the ranks of the middle class back into poverty.

Support for Latin America

Country
Country
Country	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Bolivia	CHF 4,337,940 (SDC)	- Crisis prevention - Water - Employment and economic development - Education/Vocational training - Food security - Health - Governance - Environmental policy - Gender - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Colombia	CHF 1,249,850(SDC)	- Water - Food security - Protection - Health - Disaster risk reduction	Humanitarian Aid
Cuba	CHF 5,506,470 (SDC)	- Employment and economic development - Food security - Gender equality - Health - Governance	Development Cooperation
Ecuador	CHF 180,000 (SDC)	- Protection	Humanitarian Aid
Haiti	CHF 2,953,180 (SDC)	- Disaster risk reduction - Protection - Governance - Employment and economic development - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Honduras	CHF 2,953,180 (SDC)	- Food security - Employment and economic development - Environmental policy - Governance - Water - Education/Vocational training - Crisis prevention	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Nicaragua	CHF 4,772,180 (SDC)	- Food security - Environmental policy - Employment and economic development - Water - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Paraguay	CHF 1,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
Peru	CHF 569,970 (SDC)	- Health - Water - Climate	Humanitarian Aid
Venezuela	CHF 3,840,000 (SDC)	- Food security - Health - Protection - Other	Humanitarian Aid

The COVID-19 crisis calls for global and regional responses

The global challenges posed by the pandemic require global responses. The SDC is working to achieve this with multilateral partner organisations, such as the UN, and financial institutions, such as the World Bank. Its involvement allows UN and World Bank projects to draw on Swiss expertise amongst others in public health. Furthermore, Switzerland always insists that projects are planned in close cooperation with international organisations, thus avoiding duplication of efforts and ensuring that international support has maximum impact.

Global cooperation enables the SDC to support, for example, the Geneva-based Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND). FIND is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) on delivering training and technical assistance to ensure that people in developing countries have access to accurate and high-quality testing for the virus that causes COVID-19.

This enables Switzerland to indirectly support low and middle-income countries in their fight against the spread of communicable diseases such as COVID-19. Through its regional programmes, the SDC is also influencing the prevention and containment of the pandemic. After all, working across national borders is an important factor in view of the spread of the new coronavirus.

SDC support for internationally active organisations

Organisation
Organisation
Organisation	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
UNDP	CHF 29,957,400 (SDC)	- Governance - Crisis prevention	Global Cooperation
Terre des Hommes	CHF 748,400 (SDC)	- Crisis prevention	Development Cooperation
EDM	CHF 593,660 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation
ICRC, Loan – Program contributions	CHF 203,000,000 (SDC)	- Health - Protection	Humanitarian Aid
IFRC Emergency Appeal Coronavirus	CHF 13,500,000 (SDC)	- Health	Humanitarian Aid
UNOCHA – Humanitarian Response Plan	CHF 18,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance	CHF 30,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
GFATM	CHF 50,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
GPE	CHF 6,500,000 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation
Helvetas Swiss intercooperation	CHF 300,000 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation
WFP	CHF 4,650,000 (SDC)	- Food security	Humanitarian Aid
WHO	CHF 8,180,420 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
UNAIDS	CHF 1,100,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
UNFPA	CHF 5,280,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
UNGC	CHF 540,000 (SDC)	- Employment and economic development	Global Cooperation
UNHCR (refugees)	CHF 1,500,000 (SDC)	- Other	Humanitarian Aid
UNICEF	CHF 14,681,300 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training - Health - Water - Andere	Global Cooperation Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
UN Women	CHF 6,800,000 (SDC)	- Gender equality	Global Cooperation
UNCDF	CHF 1,387,800 (SDC)	- Migration - Governance	Global Cooperation
UNOPS	CHF 11,000,000 (SDC)	- Water	Global Cooperation
Médecins du Monde	CHF 469,900 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation
Médecins sans frontières	CHF 3,000,000 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation
Caritas	CHF 600,000 (SDC)	- Water	Development Cooperation
Fondation Hirondelle	CHF 750,000 (SDC)	- Governance	Development Cooperation
IFAD	CHF 3,325,000 (SDC)	- Food security	Global Cooperation
ILO	CHF 1,841,000 (SDC)	- Migration	Global Cooperation
IOM	CHF 6'200,000 (SDC)	- Migration - Health	Global Cooperation
Private Sector Foreign North	CHF 12’180’000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
OECD	CHF 90,000 (SDC)	- Other	Development Cooperation
SHA	CHF 25,000 (SDC)	- Other	Humanitarian Aid
Université Genève	CHF 609,838(SDC)	- Health - Sexual violence	Humanitarian Aid
Université Lausanne	CHF 330,000 (SDC)	- Health	Global Cooperation
National State Institute North	CHF 145,000 (SDC)	- Gender	Development Cooperation
WB-IBRD	CHF 800,000 (SDC)	- Water	Global Cooperation
World Bank	CHF 3,000,000 (SDC)	- Education - Environmental policy	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation
Others	CHF 73,354,420 (SDC)	- Migration - Health - Governance - Gender equality - Crisis prevention - Water - Other	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation Humanitarian Aid

Fight against COVID-19 through SDC regional programs

Geographical Focus
Geographical Focus
Geographical Focus	Swiss Contribution	Action in the field of:	FDFA Unit
Africa	CHF 287,650 (SDC)	- Migration - Health	Development Cooperation
Central America	CHF 1,451,300 (SDC)	- Disaster Risk Reduction - Food security - Protection - Water - Governance - Environment - Employment and economic development - Other	Humanitarian Aid Development Cooperation
Central Asia	CHF 1,084,070 (SDC)	- Governance - Migration	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation
Eastern and Southern Africa	CHF 2,498,800 (SDC)	- Employment and economic development	Development Cooperation
Great Lakes	CHF 2,851,250 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation
Horn of Africa	CHF 4,250,000 (SDC)	- Health	Development Cooperation
Latin America	CHF 2,437,430 (SDC)	- Food security - Water - Employment and economic development - Other	Development Cooperation Humanitarian Aid
Mekong	CHF 319,105 (SDC)	- Employment and economic development - Health	Development Cooperation
Middle East / North Africa	CHF 693’940 (SDC)	- Migration	Global Cooperation
South Asia	CHF 280’000(SDC)	- Migration	Global Cooperation
West Africa	CHF 5,647,340 (SDC)	- Food security - Migration	Development Cooperation Global Cooperation
Western Balkans	CHF 515,990 (SDC)	- Education/Vocational training	Development Cooperation

Peace, security and human rights in the digital domain and at regional level

Alongside its initiatives on the ground, the FDFA via the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) also supports peace and security projects at regional level and in the digital domain. The HSD is working with the Arab Institute for Human Rights, for example, which is drawing on its advocacy expertise to conduct an information campaign on social media with a view to ensuring that national strategies for tackling COVID-19 include migrants and refugees more effectively. The purpose of the measures is to facilitate access to clear and reliable information and create a narrative of solidarity, inclusion and non-discrimination.

Digital and regional projects in the fields of peace, security and human rights

Project
Project
Project	PHRD Contribution
Enabling mobile network operators to produce mobility indicators to support the COVID-19 response.	CHF 48,605
Re-purposed Massive Online Open Course: Responding to front line support needs and addressing challenges in child protection and case management.	CHF 49,036
Impact of COVID-19 on hard-to-reach refugees and migrants on the move	CHF 49,434
COVID-19 Rumour Tracking and Management System for Africa.	CHF 50,000
Protecting democratic norms in the time of COVID-19	CHF 21,100
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Deadly Conflict	USD 35’000

The figures in this article are taken from international cooperation projects undertaken by the FDFA which may be effective in helping Switzerland's priority and partner countries tackle the COVID-19 crisis. The funds indicated are from current budgets, including budgets for ongoing projects that have been adjusted in line with new requirements. The total funding amounts are therefore greater than the figures previously indicated for specific international cooperation activities by Switzerland in response to the COVID 19 crisis.

An illustration of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, surrounded by icons representing human rights policy, peace policy, humanitarian policy and migration foreign policy.

COVID-19, peace and human rights: history is accelerating

When we think of COVID-19, we immediately see overcrowded intensive care units with humming ventilators. So what do peace and human rights have to do with the coronavirus? Quite a bit, if you take a look behind the scenes at the FDFA's Human Security Division (HSD). As part of Switzerland's international cooperation activities, the HSD took quick, effective action to tackle head-on the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things by providing CHF 1 million in rapid response funding.

Am 31. März 2020 schickte die Schweiz Atemschutzmasken, Brillen und Schutzanzüge nach Moldova, um das Gesundheitspersonal an vorderster Front bei der Bekämpfung von Covid-19 zu schützen.

COVID-19: Switzerland strengthens international cooperation

The coronavirus is also spreading in developing countries, and the impact on them is especially severe. In the spirit of solidarity, Switzerland is responding quickly and effectively to the latest challenges through its international cooperation. It has already taken measures in a number of countries to alleviate the economic and social effects of the pandemic and has so far contributed CHF 101.42 million to the global response to COVID-19. On 29 April 2020, the Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will provide CHF 400 million to support international relief efforts in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in developing countries.

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